It
is often said that one person's loss is another person's gain. This was
certainly the case when back in 1984 Claudio Parente decided to leave
Europe and set up base in Australia.

That decision ensured the genteel people of OZ instantly gained not only
an exemplary citizen but also a very talented entertainer with an artistic
baggage brim full of experience, professionalism and enthusiasm.

Claudio was raised musically in the industrial city of Milan, in Italy's
north, and was a student at the G. Verdi Conservatory Of Music. Apart
from his sensual, melodic singing voice, he also plays piano and keyboards,
guitar, bass guitar and drums.

He was still at a tender age when, with his newly formed group, he launched
his performing career and began touring not only in Italy but all over
Europe particularly in Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Germany and Austria.

Claudio is an accomplished arranger and composer of music and author of
lyrics and it was these latter skills which gave him the break he needed
when soon after arriving to Australia he won the Festival Of Italian Song
staged in Melbourne.

From then it has been a roller coaster ride with Claudio going on to begin
a hectic performing schedule intermingled with the recording of a number
of successful albums.

The first of these, Profumo Italiano Vol.1 (released through Colossal
Records), immediately captured the hearts of the Italo-Australian public
and assured Claudio a long list of requests to perform at clubs and festivals
Australia wide.

The follow up to the first release also proved a winner but it was a later
recording (titled "It Takes Two") which signaled a new chapter
in Claudio's career with the combination of his vocal ability with that
of female vocalist (and future companion) Carmen Howe (pictured).

Together, individually or with their dance troupe they have been performing
and providing entertainment all over Australia at concerts and festivals,
major Leagues Clubs, prominent Sports Clubs, night clubs and five star
Hotels.

Claudio and the team have also been a regular headline act at the Sky
City Casino in Auckland, New Zealand, and have on many occasions performed
on cruise ships such as those operated by P & O Lines and Sitmar Cruises,
on the infamous M.N. Achille Lauro, the Abel Tasman and the absolutely
prestigious vessels of Singapore's Star Cruises.

Of the numerous appearances on the Southeast Asian circuit none have proved
more exhilarating than when, in September 2000, Claudio stepped out on
the magnificent Qingdao Arena in Qingdao, Shandong Province in the People's
Republic Of China to deliver, on three consecutive days, what remain the
most unforgettable performances of his career to date.

Claudio & Co. were also commissioned to provide daily entertainment
for the world superstars of tennis and their guests during the entire
duration of the 2002 Australian Open at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena.

Appearances on national television variety shows and radio programs, including
the broadcasting of live performances from Canada's Wonderland on Canadian
CHIN Radio & TV Network, are just too many to list here.

For a number of years Claudio devoted a considerable amount of time and
energy in promoting, producing and directing the Italian Original Song
Festival involving artists from every corner of Australia presenting and
performing new contemporary euro songs penned by Australian composers.

The concerts always featured an impressive ten piece band complete with
chorus and were professionally staged at various prestigious venues including
The Palms at Crown Towers Hotel & Casino, the Dallas Brookes Hall
and the Hamer Hall in central Melbourne.

Claudio's schedule is busier than ever as his managerial skills are also
in high demand and to date he has been General Manager for various prominent
Melbourne venues including the Casa D'Abruzzo Club in Epping, Club Italia
in Sunshine and the Whitehorse Club in Burwood.

GMP can only join in the praise for Claudio's efforts within the music
and entertainment industry in the knowledge that the experience and youthful
enthusiasm of such a professional artist will prove invaluable to all
those with whom he associates.